QBE Foundation opens applications for annual local grants program

QBE Foundation brings hope to 2022 by opening applications for its annual local grants program to create resilient and inclusive communities across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific.

This year's program offers a total of $360,000, through nine grants of $40,000 for each charity with high-impact community initiatives focusing on climate resilience, inclusion, and QBE employee choice. This marks a year-on-year increase of $60,000 in total grants to community initiatives following the program's revamp last year to align with QBE's approach to working in the community.

QBE Foundation co-chair Jason Clarke said the foundation has stepped up a notch by providing larger grants to better support the recipients in having a more significant impact on the community.

Commenting on the issues that the foundation wants to address this year, Clarke said: “Climate resilience and inclusion are important to us at QBE, and we want to do all we can to support charities creating a big impact in this space. We're excited to see what applications we receive and to have the opportunity to be part of some of this work.”

Eligible organisations for a QBE Foundation local grant must:

• Be a registered “not-for-profit” (or non-profit) with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC);
• Have Australian Tax Office endorsement of DGR 1 or 2 status;
• Not be affiliated with a political party or union or take an overtly political stance in the focus of its work; and
• Be based in Australia, although initiatives working in Australia, New Zealand, or the Pacific will be considered.

Organisations with a religious basis may be eligible. However, any program or initiative supported by QBE must not incorporate religious teaching into the delivery of the program or initiative. More details, including the application process, can be found on the QBE Foundation website.

Read more: QBE: Australians still unprepared for severe weather, natural disasters

The QBE Foundation is committed to creating resilient and inclusive communities across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific by working with community organisations.

In 2021, the Australia-Pacific QBE Foundation contributed more than $1.6 million to community-based initiatives through community partnerships, local grants, and employee engagement programs.

Sydney-based charity MedEarth – a charity recovering usable medical supplies and equipment from hospitals and medical practices destined for landfill and then redistributing them to disadvantaged communities – was one of the grant program's 12 recipients last year, thanks to a QBE employee's nomination.

“We store the items until we have the right recipient for them to ensure that every donation will be used to its full potential and won’t end up in landfill,” said MedEarth co-founder Laura Taitz. “For example, we check that machines are sent to locations with adequate electricity, that there are patients who need the service and doctors who are able to confidently use the equipment.”